1950 Kay double bass

Pics?

 

If you're completely new to upright double bass, some degree of "killing my fingers" is to be expected in the early stages, not just from the more muscular technique necessary but also to the stretching to reach positions on the longer scale relative to the electric bass. Everyone here who knows will recommend a teacher to demonstrate healthy and effective technique.

A "slight bow" in the upright fingerboard is a feature, not a bug. The longer, thicker strings require more relief in the fingerboard to allow for their travel, particularly the lower pitches.

With some detailed photos we can help diagnose whether you have a structural problem that needs addressing.

 

I would say this is a very easy setup for a DB. At the nut it might be a bit lower, but that only affects the lowest position (“1st fret”).
You might want to use stretchier strings than steel core at least when starting to slowly develop your muscles.
Gut needs more room under the string, so I do not recommend them, but synthetic core metal wound strings might work.
Try a used set of Obligato, Evah Pirazzi Weich, Innovation Polychromes or Innovation Braided or Super Sensitive Sensicore (but NOT Dominants!).
Keep your current strings, you might want to change back after a year or two.

 

Lets be clear: those measurements are .8 / .4 centimeters or 8 / 4 millimeters, NOT .8mm.....

A bit of history:

The Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-168) passed by Congress. The Metric Act established the US Metric Board to coordinate and plan the increasing use and voluntary conversion to the metric system.

.....and then it was basically nullified by Reagan in 1980, so that 40 years later most US citizens still struggle with its use....

 

My first bass was a ‘41 Kay. It was great.

Your string height looks reasonable. You fingers just have to get used to it. Regular playing does the job. When you get blisters cut ‘em and let things heal. Blood, sweat and tears. Just joking.

Stick with it, it gets better.

I used Spiro’s on mine. Guts just did not sound deep enough for me. Some use Spiro solo’s tuned regular to get more of a gut feel.

Spiro’s and Dominants sound beautiful and worth a bit of effort if you can handle it. I even like Spiro stark (heavy) for jazz.

 

The photos that will tell us more would be of the bridge, overall from the front, and the neck joint from either side.